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Letter campaign advances for Pottsville man held by ICE

POTTSVILLE — The friend of a man detained by ICE is leading a social media campaign to help him by gathering reference letters. On Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Kevin Medina is also offering to notarize the letters at no charge. The public is invited to stop by Fratello's Bistro, 420 Nichols St., during those times to get their reference letters notarized on behalf of Ruben Rojas-Vargas. Ruben Rojas-Vargas, 32, who has been in the U.S. for 16 years, was arrested May 30 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He is being detained at an ICE facility in Phillipsburg, Centre County, according to the Online Detainee Locator System . Medina, a family friend, notary and insurance agent, started a Facebook appeal asking for letters in support of Rojas-Vargas. Those letters must be notified, however, so Medina is offering to notarize letters free of charge. This week he plans to give them to an immigration lawyer. Any supporters unable to attend Wednesday can send notarized letters to kevinm@ or they can contact him to arrange a meeting place. Medina took to Facebook last weekend to share his friend's story and ask for support. The post has 58,700 views, which surprised him. 'I simply wanted to share with the community and see how they can support him,' Medina said. So far, 85 people have committed to sign letters in support for Rojas-Vargas, a native of Mexico. The young father was going to be fitted for an ankle monitoring device after pleading guilty to a DUI from last year when ICE agents arrested him. 'We all make mistakes,' Medina said Tuesday about his friend's situation. Meanwhile, Pottsville Police Chief John Morrow said Monday he was unaware that ICE agents had taken Rojas-Vargas into custody until he saw Facebook posts. On Tuesday, Schuylkill County Sheriff Groody said he also was unaware that Rojas-Vargas had been arrested, and believes the ICE arrest is the first in the county. While not all comments on social media have been positive, Medina said the support Rojas-Vargas is receiving is heartwarming. The other comments are heartbreaking but not unexpected.